18 Ways to Cut a Watermelon

Make the most out of your juicy, summer fruit, and learn how to cut a watermelon in 18 fun and new ways. Perfect for BBQs, parties, snacks, and platters.

We've all got our own way to serve this sweet, refreshing fruit, be it triangles, chunks, sticks, or slices, etc. And there really is no right or wrong technique!

Whether you're looking for a beautiful centerpiece or enjoy a bowl of crisp, micro-diced melon, there are plenty of ideas below for you to try at home. Just grab your cutting board, and let's go!

How to Pick The Right Watermelon

• Weight: You want a heavy watermelon.

• Field spot: Look for a field spot (that's where the watermelon rested on the ground). You want it to be yellow or orange.

• Color: Opt for dark green melons. They will be the sweetest.

• Sound: You want a firm, hollow sound when you tap it.

1. Cake

A Watermelon Cake is the ultimate centerpiece. Great for special occasions and so fun to eat. 

2. Crinkle Cut

Slice your watermelon with a crinkle cutter to get this fun effect. Watch how to make the crinkle cut slices here.

3. Flowers

This pattern is much easier than it looks: simply slice a piece of watermelon. Cut from the center to the outer edge at a 45º angle across, then slice straight down from the center into the angled cut. Continue this way, working from the middle all the way around. Watch how to make watermelon flower slices here.

4. Basket

This charming watermelon basket is perfect for parties and so easy to bring along outside. Fill it with all your favorite fruit. You can scallop the edges or keep it simple. You can watch how to make the watermelon basket here.

5. Chevron Cut

Quarter your slices, then use a sharp knife to trim a chevron pattern into the top layer.

6. Carpaccio

To achieve these perfectly thin slices of watermelon carpaccio, you'll need a wide vegetable peeler (or cut them by hand if you're up for the challenge). Layer the slices next to each other and top with feta, pistachio, basil, and hot honey. So good.

7. Zig-Zag

Cut into a whole melon all the way around in a zig-zag pattern. Slice underneath the jagged line, cut into quarters, and repeat. Check out my watermelon zig-zag instructions and video here.

8. Cubes

I slice the melon and use a square cookie cutter to make these cubes extra precise, but you can also cube them by hand. Top the watermelon cubes onto fruit platters or serve them as a side salad with feta. 

9. Micro-Diced

To make this micro-diced watermelon, slice the melon, remove the rind, and cut it into small planks. Then cut across in a grid to make the tiny cubes. Squeeze fresh lime juice on top and eat them like cereal. 

10. Balls

Use a melon baller to make these beautiful balls. Stick to watermelon or mix and match your fruit. You can even use different sized balls for a beautiful arrangement or color coordinate your melon baller platter.

11. Matchsticks

Another variation of sticks, this version resembles matchsticks due to its double-dipped layer of dark chocolate at the top. Serve with or without candy eyes.

12. Fries

Slice the watermelon, trim off the rind, and cut into thin planks. Halve each plank and snip the ends at an angle to make them look like fries. Mix and match with other fruits, or stick to watermelon. Great for dipping in melted dark chocolate.

13. Animals

Carve your watermelon into incredible creatures with charming options for every difficulty level.

14. Skewers

Cube the watermelon and skewer the cubes with feta and cucumber for a tasty appetizer. You can even pair the melon with other fruits for a colorful dessert idea.

15. Cookie Cutters

Get ready to have fun! Cookie cutters are perfect to use with fruit, especially watermelon. I've included examples where cookie cutters are used to cut out your design, as well as examples where you only use the cutouts.

16. Roses

Thin strips of watermelon rolled into roses are as elegant as they are tasty. 

17. Popsicles

Cut thick slices of watermelon. Halve the slices and trim each half into rectangles. These refreshing popsicles are great straight out of the freezer on really hot days.

18. Julienne

Cut into long, thin strips for the cutest snack. Serve it with any dip you like. I made a quick Greek Yogurt, honey, and vanilla dip. Delish!